Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1887-07-23

What an Applicant for n Place ON the
Police Force Goes Through.
THE QUESTIONS HE HAS TO ANswER-ExANINED BIZ
SURGEONS WHO GIVE HIN sEALED CERTIFICATE
HIS GENERAL APPEARANCE AND EDUCATION PASSED
oN-THE WAY TO GET ON TIE FORCE.

TOLD now one can become poNceHlhn. PerhapS
these authors think it too easy and simple thing
to require explanation. All a man has to do is to
make himself at least feet inches in height, to
be sure that he is between twenty-five and thirty
eight years of age, to have q sound body, to get
honorable discharge from the Army or Navy.
and to have education and address enough to
make favorable impression on the police author
tiles. He must, In addition have resided in the
District for two years, and have five friends among
citizens OF good standing who will certify to his
good character, sobriety, and correct life.
THE APPLICANTS FIRST APPEARANCE.
Applicants for places on the force are examined
the second wednesday In every month, in room
at police headquarters. When the man who as
pires to the honor of badge and baton with its
accompanying emoluments, comes to headquarters
he makes his aspirations known to Property Clerk
Sylvester, who propounds few brief inquiries as
Army Or Navy This preliminary examination
over II 1t does not disclose that the applicant is
ineligible he Is sent to an office upstairs where he
is supplied with a blank form of application, and
pen and ink. He fills out this blank, which is in
the following form:
To the Board Of Commissioners, ID. C.:
GENTLEMEN: hereby make application for a
position OF private on the Metropolitan Police
Force.
Twas born 1n..............
Age:....
Occupation:...
Respectfully.
To this is attached the blank form Of certin-
cate to be signed by five reputable citizens, and
verified by the affidavit of one OF them, fOllowS
We the UNDERSIGNED, Individually and each for him
cat 1,'f Gaa nepn r to the nr I pss two
years. and qualified to speak intellgently relation
opinion, he man of good moral character,
and orderly in his Department and not in respect
SOBER temperate and industrious habits: that he is
not addicted to the habltua use of drinks
other lllrtfnl undersigned.
himself further that he has not known him
Of M se guilty
rested for any criminal disorderl conduct or act
man Of truth and ntesrs . Of Of sound sound nina GOOD
and that he is fit for policeman.
When he has done all this the applicant may eX-
pect to be at once clothed in blue coat and brass
buttons, to have baton thrust into his hands,
and to be directed at to the street and
drag In malefactors. But If he has such eXpecta-
lions they will not be realized. He is told that his
application will be filed and he Will be notified to
appear at the next examination.
EXAMINED BY THE SURGEONS.
On the second Wednesday OF each month the
board OF police surgeons, composed Of four physi-
clans, meet at 2: 80 O'Clock to consider applica-
tions. The applicants are summoned to the room
must show an honorable discharge from the Army
or Navy. II an applicant has not his discharge
he is turned away: The doctors ask him a few
questions, and then measure his height and
weigh him. He is then taken to a back room,
stripped, and put through vigorous physical ex-
animation: His chest is thumped, and he is
sounded all over, with the view to discovering
any bodily defect This examination over the
applicant puts on his old clothes again. He Is not
yet qualified for the blue coat and bras5 buttons
The physicians I'LL out the following blank certifi-
cate:
we hereby certify, that we have this day
limb, is abe-bodied, - of robust constitu-
ton, and. In our opinion, is = physically quail
rnman HEIGHT nv r6ar N
the board NJ. D., secretary.
A SEALED VERDICT.
The applicant does not know how 1t is filled out,
whether he is rejected or not. The certificate,
which may put an end at once to all his patriotic
hopes in connection with the police department,
Is handed TO him sealed. He takes his leave of the
board OF surgeons and goes down stairs In doubt
and trepidatiOn to Capt. Austin. The captain
opens the sealed envelope and If the report Of the
once by telling him that he IS rejected. The re-
port, II unfavorabe, does not state what the ply
steal defect is II the report is favorable to the
applicant the captain hands the applicant a blank
form containing twenty-three questions, which he
1S required to answer The first few questions re
late to residence, army service &c. The others
are q little more personal. Some Of them are as
follows: When did you drink intoxicating liquors
as Have Liquors as
family have you? Have you ever been indicted or
convicted OF crime? Give a specimen of your
reading also specimen of your writing. Have
other consideration, to any person, directly or in
directly, for any recommendation service, or in
tluenCe given or promised, toward procuring your
appointment?
''sIZING" THE MAN.
When he has answered these questions he deliv-
erS the paper to the captain, who puts it away
with the other papers in the case, endorsing on it
his own estimate Of the man, his general appear
ance and demeanor manner OF speaking, and all
the points that might be asked about by the OIL
Cial making an appointment. The club and badge
are not issued to the appl1cantyet. The papersare
filed away. When an appointment is to be made
the major calls for the papers and selects the per-
son who makes the best showing on paper, his
handwriting, and other evidences OF education
being considered. Major Moore makes practice
of summoning the applicant to appear before him.
He does not decide entirely on the showing made
by the papers, but talks to the man and looks him
over, SO as to get as good an idea possible OF
his general intelligence, spirit, and aptitude. The
major then recommends to the Commissioners the
appointment of the man he considers best fitted
among the applicants. The Commissioners then
go over the papers and satisfy themselves Of the
mans qualifications and
MAKE THE APPOINTMENT.
The fortunate applicant is notified to report at
police headquarters. There he is equipped with
the police armS-batOn and revolver-given a CODY
Of the police manual and order for his uniform
which he has to pay for himself in three INSTALL
ments. Then he Is assigned to a precinct Before
he Is sent to his lieutenant however the captain
talks to him, cautioning him against people who
would seek to take advantage OF him, and enjoin-
the rules as strictly as possible. The oath Is adj
ministered to him by Mr.. Sylvester, who makes an
entry OF the mans full name and place OF BIRTH
place and time OF naturalization in case the appli-
cant is a foreigner, and other Information re-
speeding the newly-nedged "cop." Then he is
given opportunity to subscribe to the police
relief insurance If he desires. II he joins the relief
he binds himself to pay 81 upon the death OF any
member the relief for the beneht Of the family
OF the deceased In case Of his own death, his
family gets the benefit OF O like assessment upon
the other members
THE NEW POLICEMAN.
In a day or two he appears on the street in
brand new uniform eudeavoring to swing his
club with the easy air Of an old veteran and puz-
cling his mind over the thousand and one Ordi-
nanceS and rules which a policeman has to know
When he has served fifteen years and become
somewhat familiar With his duties, he is eligible
in case his health gives out, to retirement on q
pension. Before the expiration of fifteen years he
cannot receive pension unless he is injured in
the line Of duty.
Police officials say that the Army and Navy
clause becomes more troublesome every yea.
Available material for the force is scarce The
law was intended originally to benefit veterans
of the war, but as they are all over age now the
and Navy as it exists at present and from men
who have actually resided In this city two years.
The requirement as to residence is made for the
purpose OF securing men who have some &C
Qualntauce with the city.
THE ARMY AND NAVY CLAUSE.
The section Of the law containing what is known
as the Army and Navy clause is as follows:
'No person shall be appointed to office, or hold
Office in the police force, who cannot read and
write the English language or who Is not citi-
zen of the United States, or who shall ever have
been indicted and convicted OF crime: and no per-
son shall be appointed as policeman or Waterman
who has not served In the Army or Navy OF the